Originally reported and written in January 2023, this story has been republished as part of our archival content.

The suburbs of Bombay have a certain kind of magic they exude — scores of stores each promising you the best buys stacked in lines one after the other. And the curb where I live in Santacruz is no different. It is abundant with stores that sell everything, right from confectioneries to gourmet food, stationery supplies and more. 

But in this maze of stores that line the sidewalk, there is one that catches my eye each time I step out — with its unmissable pink and blue banner that will transport you back to your school days when every birthday celebration would mean it was time to cut the Monginis cake. 

What set Monginis apart was that not only did they have an array of flavours to choose from, but also an unending variety — fruit cakes, frosted cakes, tea cakes, muffins, cream cakes and more. While the brand has managed to weave its way into our hearts, there is a legacy behind it that few are aware of. 

The story of how Monginis started, and how its saga has been unfolding for over a century now, is beguiling, to say the least. 

Two Italian brothers and an idea 

The story goes that the brand got its name from the surname of the two brothers who started it — the Mongini brothers. 

The year was 1902, when the British had a hold over India, including the city of Bombay. The region then frequently saw people from Europe making their way here to settle or for trade. The Mongini brothers were amongst them. They saw Churchgate street in Bombay........

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